The Midwest Christian Montessori Academy Directresses are experienced Montessori teachers – some with 20 years of experience – who continue to develop their skills to benefit their students.  Our staff includes:

 

Karen Kruger

Vice President, MCMA Board of Directors

Academic Director/Upper Elementary Directress

Karen Kruger has 20 years of experience in teaching using the Montessori Method starting with preschoolers all the way through upper elementary.  She trained at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center.  Presently, Mrs. Karen is serving as the Vice President/Academic Director of Midwest Christian Montessori Academy.  She was a vital and inspirational mentor as the Head of Elementary and Assistant Director of a Montessori school for 15 years.  Mrs. Karen has a strong passion for ministry and was the director of Kid’s Worship at New Life Church for 15 years.  She is currently the director of the Children’s Faith Choir for the last 5 years at Alleluia Church.  Mrs. Karen believes that the Bible is a critical roadmap in one’s life; and she deeply enjoys teaching Bible study and empowering children to use their gifts to help not just themselves, but their community as well.

 

Stacey Veseling

President, MCMA Board of Directors

Directress, Lower Elementary

Stacey Veseling has taught in an elementary Montessori classroom since 2000 and currently she holds the position of President of the Board of Directors at Midwest Christian Montessori Academy.  She trained at the North American Montessori center and is a member of the American Montessori Society.  Mrs. Stacey was also employed in the ministry by Joyful Spirit Church for about 10 years from 1994 until 2004.  She has been blessed to be able to preach God’s Word, lead Bible studies, run retreats, participate in numerous, ongoing mission projects in Haiti, and lead children’s ministries to name a few.  Mrs. Stacey is still very active in ministry work including writing Bible studies and mission work.  Currently, she and her family attend Crosstown Church.  To her, one of the most important responsibilities a Believer has is to outreach Christ’s message within the community and she desires to incorporate that into this program. 

 

Marilyn Webster

Secretary, MCMA Board of Directors

Directress, Preschool and Kindergarten

Marilyn Webster started teaching in a Montessori classroom in 1990 and trained at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center.  She has faithfully fulfilled her calling as a Montessori preschool and kindergarten Directress over the last 18 years, touching the lives of hundreds of children with the love of God and the fabulous Montessori Method.  Mrs. Marilyn is an amazing Directress who definitely leads by example for there is no mistaking her excitement for the Lord and His work.  Mrs. Marilyn and her husband attend Crosstown Church in Bolingbrook, Illinois.  Over the years, she has led different ministries such as Intercessory prayer, Christian Education teacher and banner worship.  Mrs. Marilyn is presently the Secretary of the Board of Directors at Midwest Christian Montessori Academy.

 

Tracy Melendez

Directress, Lower Elementary

Tracy Melendez is a lower elementary Directress at Midwest Christian Montessori Academy.  With previous experience as a preschool assistant, Mrs. Tracy has been a lower elementary Directress for the past three years.  She has an AMS certification in lower elementary and trained at Midwest Montessori Training Center.  Mrs. Tracy has an educational background in biology and clinical laboratory sciences.  Her husband Hector is Treasurer on the MCMA Board of Directors and their two children attend MCMA.  The Melendez Family are members of the Joyful Spirit Church where Mrs. Tracy assists in the running of the Kidz Club.

 

Jennifer Ritsema

Directress, Preschool and Kindergarten

Mrs. Jennifer has been teaching for three years in the 3-6 year old classroom and is just finishing her first year teaching extended day kindergarten.  She took her Early Childhood Montessori Training at Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, IL in 1997 and received her Associate Pre-primary credential from AMS in 1999 after completing a self-directed internship.  Before that she worked as an assistant for 2 years.  Mrs. Jennifer has been a member of Living Water Community Church in Bolingbrook for 17 years.  She is a worship leader and a member of the prayer ministry team.  Other activities she has been involved in include dance and banner ministry, children’s ministry, youth girls’ discipleship, drama team and transformation ministry.